Think Tank FocusPoint 30L Review: Iceland Ready?

July 18th, 2026

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Hiker in orange backpack standing on rocky outcrop overlooking geothermal landscape with snow-capped mountains

For my photo tour in Iceland, I wanted to go lightweight. I had my eye on the new Think Tank FocusPoint 30L because it just looks great. Amazingly, my gear did fit in this compact photo backpack, and I took it with me to Iceland. Let me tell you about my experiences.

I have a lot of photo bags. Most photographers do, I presume. For my travels to Norway and Iceland, I usually take a large 50-liter Shimoda backpack with me. It has plenty of space, more than enough for my needs. However, it is perhaps a bit too large for carry-on luggage. I never had any issues with it, but it's large and a bit heavy.

Photographer with dog in four different outdoor landscapes and weather conditions. — The Shimoda Action X50 can be too large on some occasions.

For my day trips, I have a Think Tank Retrospective 15 backpack. It's a nice bag with just enough space for one camera body and two lenses, one of which is my 100-500mm telephoto lens. I use the remaining space for my lunch and a rain jacket. I can sacrifice this extra space for other lenses, but then I lose the ability to pack that lunch and rain jacket. The bag appears to be made for the Gitzo Traveler tripod as well, which fits like a glove on the side of the bag.

I was planning to take this bag with me during my Iceland photo tour. However, I wanted to take one extra lens with me that didn't fit into the Retrospective 15 without giving up space for a rain jacket. Sure, I could attach an extra lens pouch on the side, but I was hesitant about that. Don't ask me why, because it is possible without problems.

That's when the new Think Tank FocusPoint 30L caught my eye. This rolltop backpack is both slim and stylish. It has a low profile and plenty of extra space for my lunch and the rain jacket I find so important to take with me. I looked into it and started to wonder if my photography gear would fit.

Rust-colored leather backpack sitting upright on grass with overgrown vegetation in background — The new Think Tank FocusPoint 30L. Could this be my perfect small backpack?

The equipment I wanted to take with me was my old and trusty Canon EOS R5, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L, and the RF 24-105mm f/4L. So when I got the opportunity, I tried to fit this set into the Think Tank FocusPoint 30L, and it worked. So I bought the bag and took it with me to Iceland.

Orange camera backpack with organized lens compartments displaying telephoto and standard lenses — The gear I was planning to take with me. It fits like a glove.

Some Specifications of the Think Tank FocusPoint 30L

I need to go through the boring specs of the bag because these are important, especially size and weight, but also the small details that caught my eye. I chose the Urban Rust color, which I liked. It is also available in Asphalt Black, Greenway, and Golden Hour.

Hiker with orange backpack standing on rocky outcrop overlooking expansive tundra valley and distant mountains — This is how I used the FocusPoint 30L in Iceland.

Outside dimensions: 30.5 × 45.7 × 17.8 cm
Weighs 1.76 kg
Fits a 16" laptop
Removable camera compartment
Side access and back access
Magnetic sternum strap
Rolltop with metal parachute-style buckle
Top handle and luggage handle pass-through
Shoulder straps have loops for Peak Design clips
One expandable side pocket for a water bottle or tripod
Expandable and deep front pocket
Soft-lined pocket for a smartphone
Removable waist strap
Rain cover included

Versatility

It is designed as a photo backpack, but it can also be used as a day backpack by removing the photo compartment. That makes the FocusPoint a flexible backpack, perfect for different situations or uses. It looks stylish as well.

Four-panel comparison of an orange camera backpack showing buckle closure, interior compartments, and shoulder straps — A nice buckle to close the rolltop, side access, and a lined compartment for your smartphone (or something else).

The photo compartment is accessed from the back. It also has side access, allowing you to reach for your camera without placing the backpack on the ground first. I never use it like this, but having the possibility is a good thing.

Above the photo compartment is the additional space, which can be used in a variety of ways. You can place a jacket, lunch, or perhaps extra gear into this compartment. It also gives access to the laptop compartment.

Four-panel comparison of camera backpack organizational features showing straps, compartments, and interior storage layouts — The belt is removable, and the shoulder straps allow the connection of Peak Design-like clips. There is a lot of storage space in the front pocket and a 16" laptop compartment.

The rolltop has a magnetic flap that works great. Roll down the top and close it with the nice-looking buckle. It is easy to access, and the space is large enough for my needs. You could even use it for an additional lens or camera, if needed.

Rust-colored camera backpack shown open from two angles, displaying internal padding and organizational pockets — A side pocket is expandable and fits a water bottle. Or a tripod.

Almost Perfect

Before I bought the FocusPoint, I wanted to know if my gear would fit. And it did. It seemed to be perfect, but at the last minute, I made a change. Instead of one camera with three lenses, I took my Canon EOS R5 with the RF 100-500mm, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III with the M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 PRO and M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO.

Orange camera backpack with organized lens and equipment compartments displayed open — Change of plans. An extra camera came along. The third lens was stored temporarily in the rolltop compartment.

That’s when I ran out of space, and I needed to carry the Olympus 7-14mm in an extra-small bag. It fit perfectly in the top compartment, next to my necessities. Since I never keep my camera inside the bag on location, the 7-14mm lens would go in the main compartment again.

However, due to the side access, the dividers in the main compartment can’t be fixed to one side. That way, equipment will not stay in the designated compartment. It is important to place it at the bottom of the compartment if there is excess space, to prevent it from wandering through the bag.

Camera on tripod positioned on coastal cliff overlooking sea with film crew visible in water below — On location in Iceland.

The weather in Iceland can change by the hour. Although the weather was really nice, we had some wet conditions as well. A small rain shower shouldn’t be a problem for a backpack like the FocusPoint. And indeed, the material of the bag can take some rain. But the zippers, not so much. The rain cover is needed to prevent any water from leaking through the zippers.

Orange and tan canvas camera backpack displayed from front and interior views — After a medium rain shower, there was some leakage through the zipper. You need a rain cover in this situation, which is supplied.

Three hikers traversing volcanic lava field with streams and moss-covered rocks — The situation where I tested the water resistance of the FocusPoint backpack. Next time, I will add the rain cover.

I noticed how the breathable foam mesh on the back, which is responsible for ventilation, can get soaked. It takes a while before this is dry again. A rain cover doesn’t prevent this from getting wet, since it doesn't cover the part that is placed against your back.

My Conclusion After Two Weeks in Iceland

I liked the Think Tank FocusPoint 30L a lot. The bag is well thought through and has a lot of small details that make it great. There is a lanyard for your keys, and the inside zippers have a protective cover to prevent damage to your gear. The sternum strap is adjustable in height, and a lot of small compartments make it easy to stash all the necessary accessories.

Photographer with telephoto lens mounted on tripod at rocky coastal location — Capturing gannets at sea in Iceland.

During the two weeks in Iceland, the bag performed almost perfectly. The thing I found annoying was the camera insert. The dividers don’t stay in place because of the side access. This could be due to my own preferences and the way I like to divide the compartment. Perhaps it’s perfect for someone who uses side access, but that is not me.

Fjallraven Kanken backpack packed with photography and outdoor gear inside open compartment — Space for a rain jacket and lunch is important for me. The FocusPoint offers that space.

I like the FocusPoint 30L a lot. It’s a great-looking backpack with lots of space. It’s made for a small camera set. The bag is low profile and easy to take with you. It’s perfect for carry-on luggage, especially with the expandable rolltop. However, it’s not designed for rugged use. It can stand a light rain shower, but it’s not meant for real outdoor use. In other words, it’s not the perfect bag for me.

What I Liked

Small size and reasonable weight
Available in four beautiful colors
Plenty of loops on the shoulder straps
Removable waistband
Rain cover included
Removable inserts to transform the bag into an all-day carry backpack
Expandable front pocket

What Could Be Improved

A few loops for attaching lens pouches and accessories
A somewhat more rigid insert
Side pockets are a bit too narrow
Luggage handle pass-through can interfere with the zipper or the back access
The breathable foam mesh on the back side can get soaked

Orange and black camera backpack opened on grass displaying organized gear compartments with camera equipment inside — I really like the FocusPoint 30L, but unfortunately, it's not the perfect bag for me.

Should You Buy It?

Yes. The Think Tank FocusPoint 30L is a great bag with a beautiful design. It can store just the right amount of equipment together with other necessities and a laptop. It’s perfect for daily use. However, if you want to take the bag on a more adventurous trip, it might not be the best choice.